Sip sumptuous wines at Goa's 'Grape Escapade' festival

Panaji: Grape Escapade 2015, one of the biggest wine festivals held in India will commence in Goa from January 23 offering food connoisseurs a chance to gorge on a wide range of gourmet classics and sip some sumptuous wines.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation is hosting this four-day event since 2005.

"This year apart from wines, cuisine and an entertainment extravaganza will add glamour to the proceedings," GTDC said.

"Apart from being the only festival of its kind in Goa, the Grape Escapade is also touted to be one of the most popular gourmet festivals till date," it said. The festival will bring together restaurateurs, hoteliers, wineries and lifestyle brands, all under one roof.

More than 20 wineries will pour wines, while around 15 restaurants and catering companies will offer a range of gourmet food classics, including barbecues, pasta, oriental cuisine and other delicacies.

Vegetarian options, chicken, and meat dishes will also be available, besides a bevy of luscious sweet treats.

"The Grape stomping, which is a tradition at the festival, is a source of much delight and fun for the visitors and is an intrinsic part of the festival this year as well," the GTDC said.

Nira Valley Wine, Vinsura Wine, Berkmann Wine Cellars India Pvt Ltd, Vintage Wine, Mums Kitchen, Vasquitos, Bottle Bay, Zeebop and Khanasutra have participated in the Grape Escapade in the past and Goa Tourism is expecting an overwhelming response of participants from the trade and industry to the festival this year as well.

Chairman of GTDC, Shri Nilesh Cabral said this year the numbers should double in view of the increasing responses received.

Goa Tourism is also expecting an increase in B2B participants as Grape Escapade provides a platform for business and trade partnerships at every edition.